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Book 1, MMS29
Title by uploader: Nineteen Images of the Divine, book 1, MMS29
Instrumentation |
Piano |
Scored for |
Solo |
Type of score |
For a single performer |
Movement(s) |
1 to 3 from 19 |
Publisher |
Malcolm Dedman |
Difficulty |
Advanced |
Duration |
9'30 |
Nineteen Images of the Divine is an extended suite for piano solo in 19 movements, lasting just under one hour.
The movements are titled after the names of each month of the Badì’ Calendar, as used by Bahá’ís around the world. There are 19 months containing 19 days and the month Names are considered to be attributes of the Creator God. Each movement meditates on their possible meaning, insofar as the human race can appreciate such meanings.
The 19 months have been further subdivided into four groups, which are three, four, six and six months long respectively. The music is therefore divided into four books, as described below. The ultimate link between the Names and the music can only be made by the listener.
Book 1: Creation of the Fire of Love in the Hearts of Humankind
1. Splendour: In Arabic, this is Bahá, the name of the Promised One as foretold in all the previous religious Writings. The music is based on irregular rhythms and is marked to be played Guisto (with precision, or strict). It ends triumphantly, acknowledging that the Promised One has returned, as prophesised.
2. Glory: ‘God is the All-Glorious’. This movement is also based on irregular rhythms, and is marked to be played majestically. It uses slow rising chords which build up in volume and then subside peacefully.
3. Beauty: This refers to the Beauty of God and His Creation. Marked dolce (gently), this is a slow meditation on the beauty of God. Rising chords and a simple melody are the basis of this movement.
Book 3, MMS31
Title by uploader: Nineteen Images of the Divine, book 3, MMS31
Instrumentation |
Piano |
Scored for |
Solo |
Type of score |
For a single performer |
Movement(s) |
8 to 13 from 19 |
Publisher |
Malcolm Dedman |
Difficulty |
Advanced |
Duration |
18'30 |
Nineteen Images of the Divine is an extended suite for piano solo in 19 movements, lasting just under one hour.
The movements are titled after the names of each month of the Badì’ Calendar, as used by Bahá’ís around the world. There are 19 months containing 19 days and the month Names are considered to be attributes of the Creator God. Each movement meditates on their possible meaning, insofar as the human race can appreciate such meanings.
The 19 months have been further subdivided into four groups, which are three, four, six and six months long respectively. The music is therefore divided into four books, as described below. The ultimate link between the Names and the music can only be made by the listener.
Book 3: Unity of God with His Creation: God makes men to die, but by death to temptation of the material world.
8. Perfection: Naturally, God is perfect in every way, but this is also a reminder that humans should strive for both inner and outer perfection. The music is to be played gracefully and is based on slow repetitive phases which gradually grow. The music gathers pace and appears to fill our souls as if the Holy Spirit is descending upon us. At the end, the music rises in prayer to the Most High.
9. Names: The Holy Writings of Bahá’u’lláh attribute this to His attributes, which He says have also been ascribed to all humans, in the form of their inherent talents and faculties. The music, marked ‘impassioned’, begins with a variant of the 7/8 theme in the 5th movement, Light. This is followed by a faster, animated section consisting of rapid scale-like passages. These two types of music alternate and are varied, ending with the rapid scales in both hands.
10. Might: The Power of Might turns ‘Godly perfections into goodly actions’. After a statement of powerful chords, a transformation of the theme from the 2nd movement, Glory, can be heard. The music is marked to be played ‘grandly’. These two strands alternate and are developed as God’s Might is transformed into our goodly actions.
11. Will: God’s Will has brought creation into being. Also, all humans must act in accordance with the Will of God. This music is marked Affettuoso (with a tender feeling), and is based on simple and slow repetition of chords, alternating with short melodic phrases.
12. Knowledge: Bahá’u’lláh says, ‘Knowledge is as wings to man’s life, and a ladder for his ascent.’ The music is marked ‘with motion’ and consists primarily of fast ascending phrases which express the ladder for our ascent.
13. Power: Bahá’u’lláh says, ‘The source of courage and power is the promotion of the Word of God, and steadfastness in His Love.’ The music, marked to be played majestically, mirrors the 4th movement, Grandeur: strong chords alternating with a theme based on the theme of that movement. Powerful chords end this movement.
Book 2, MMS30
Title by uploader: Nineteen Images of the Divine, book 2, MMS30
Instrumentation |
Piano |
Scored for |
Solo |
Type of score |
For a single performer |
Movement(s) |
4 to 7 from 19 |
Publisher |
Malcolm Dedman |
Difficulty |
Advanced |
Duration |
11'30 |
Nineteen Images of the Divine is an extended suite for piano solo in 19 movements, lasting just under one hour.
The movements are titled after the names of each month of the Badì’ Calendar, as used by Bahá’ís around the world. There are 19 months containing 19 days and the month Names are considered to be attributes of the Creator God. Each movement meditates on their possible meaning, insofar as the human race can appreciate such meanings.
The 19 months have been further subdivided into four groups, which are three, four, six and six months long respectively. The music is therefore divided into four books, as described below. The ultimate link between the Names and the music can only be made by the listener.
Book 2: Creation of the Conscious Mind during which the Food of the Knowledge of God is bestowed upon Humankind.
4. Grandeur: This certainly describes the greatness of the Creator God. The music opening this book, marked ‘majestic’, is indeed grand, opening with strong chords and rapid rising arpeggios. A quieter theme emerges, getting louder and stronger. This theme is developed in future movements.
5. Light: Divine Light can give sight to the Invisible. Marked Allegro Con Brio, this movement is based on irregular rhythms similar to those used in the first movement, Splendour. A contrasting theme in 7/8 time twice interrupts the rhythmic flow and reflects on our need to seek this ‘light’. The music ends with the irregular rhythms once more, rising to a higher realm.
6. Mercy: This movement reflects on God’s Mercy flowing through us, so that we may become worthy of God’s infinite bestowals. The music is marked Grazioso meaning to be played gracefully. The whole movement is based on rising and falling arpeggios.
7. Words: Bahá’u’lláh writes ‘The Word of God hath set the heart of the world afire; how regrettable if ye fail to be enkindled with its flame!’ This movement, marked Grandioso (grandly), reflects how God’s Word is the symbol of Creation. The theme is a choral, also used in later movements, starting quietly, followed by three variations, each getting more and more grand. The last variation represents the entire Creation, engulfing all things both visible and invisible.
Book 4, MMS32
Title by uploader: Nineteen Images of the Divine, book 4, MMS32
Instrumentation |
Piano |
Scored for |
Solo |
Type of score |
For a single performer |
Movement(s) |
14 to 19 from 19 |
Publisher |
Malcolm Dedman |
Difficulty |
Advanced |
Duration |
18'45 |
Nineteen Images of the Divine is an extended suite for piano solo in 19 movements, lasting just under one hour.
The movements are titled after the names of each month of the Badì’ Calendar, as used by Bahá’ís around the world. There are 19 months containing 19 days and the month Names are considered to be attributes of the Creator God. Each movement meditates on their possible meaning, insofar as the human race can appreciate such meanings.
The 19 months have been further subdivided into four groups, which are three, four, six and six months long respectively. The music is therefore divided into four books, as described below. The ultimate link between the Names and the music can only be made by the listener.
Book 4: All that comes forth from the preceding three books is hidden in this book, where the fruit is harvested.
14. Speech: This Divine Speech is from the Educators of God’s message, appointed by the Creator God. As this is related to movement no. 7, ‘Words’, the theme is taken from that movement. This movement is marked Con Moto (with motion) and the theme, presented in treble and bass, surrounds fast-moving figuration, suggesting that the Speech is ‘all-encompassing’.
15. Questions: Not so much an attribute, this Name reflects the principle of independent investigation of the truth, relating to spirituality. We can ask questions to gain better understanding of the Word of God. The music is marked ‘calm and simply’ and consists of slowly rising phrases which appear to be questioning. Perhaps the answers are contained in the harmonies that these phrases form.
16. Honour: The word implies ‘to be raised up’. We are taught to be honourable by recognising the Creator God and to affirm His Unity. The music, marked ‘Majestic’, consists of repeated chords based on harmonies stated in the 2nd movement, ‘Glory’. There follows a faster-moving variant of the theme also first presented in the 2nd movement. The initial harmonies follow and are made to sound evermore grand.
17. Sovereignty: This is ‘supreme power, or authority’. God is sovereign because He has the exclusive right to introduce new and abrogate old laws. The music is marked Con Moto and is built from repeating minimalistic figures that build-up in power.
18. Dominion: This is another aspect of sovereignty, as possessed by God. As it is said: ‘Powerful am I in My dominion. Nothing whatsoever of all that hath been created in the heavens or on the earth can escape My knowledge, and I am the True One, the Knower of things unseen’. The music is marked ‘Majestic’ and is built from slow moving harmonies and a rising two note phrase.
19. Loftiness: The loftiness of the Creator God is exalted above all else and the Possessor of all things. This movement, marked to be played with energy, suggests a toccata. The main theme from movement 7 (also used in movement 14) is superimposed in the toccata-like passages and, towards the end, the theme takes over and ends the whole cycle powerfully and majestically, suggesting the loftiness of the Creator. Notice the affinity between this ending and that of movement no. 13, Power.
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